Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti (1977) captivated people from all over the world with her scientific work through her online logbook. During a space mission of over 199 days, she kept young and old informed about her work and experiences in space via social media. That, and her achievements within science, prompted her to be awarded the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's honorary doctorate.
Science in space
"Cristoforetti has shown how to take young people around the world into the beauty of nature and the social relevance of both fundamental and applied research," said professor of theoretical chemistry and honorary supervisor Paola Gori Giorgi on the occasion of the presentation of the VU Amsterdam Honorary Doctorate in Science on 19 October 2018. As an astronaut on the ISS, Cristoforetti was responsible for a series of experiments in materials science, medical research and biology, among others. Gori Giorgi: "She is a role model for anyone who believes that with determination and hard work, it is possible to achieve very ambitious results and make long-term contributions to science and the lives of others."
Important for future space missions
Analyses of Cristoforetti's own body data for a study on the effect of prolonged weightlessness on organs, tissues and bones provided important information for future space missions. In addition, Cristoforetti investigated, among other things, the formation of (super)alloys in the absence of gravity. This provides more insight into the physics behind the formation of alloys and can be used in the design of new and sustainable materials. Professor of physics and honorary supervisor David Iannuzzi: "Her contribution to science and society fits with the research areas that the VU considers highly relevant, such as sustainability."
Longest space flight ever for a woman
After completing basic astronaut training in 2012, Cristoforetti was assigned to the International Space Station (ISS) programme. During her preparation and the mission itself, she constantly kept an online log, describing her work and experiences in space. She was very active on her Twitter account @AstroSamantha and worked on the 'Food from spirulina' project designed by ESA to teach high school students around the world about the photosynthesis process. As part of this project, pupils could ask questions directly to Cristoforetti during her mission. She also launched in space the project 'Mission-X: Train like an astronaut' - an educational programme that challenges young people to eat healthy and exercise. Cristoforetti ended her mission in the ISS in 2015, after nearly 199 days and 16 hours in space - the longest space flight ever for a woman.